Local Disaster Management personnel have been placed on the alert for the event of any adverse conditions, as a Tropical Storm Watch is currently in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique and St. Vincent and the Grenadine, due to a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic.
Although T&T is not in the direct path of the potential tropical cyclone, local government agencies are on high alert.
The T&T Met Service says it is likely that feeder band activity associated with the system will produce periods of rain/showers and isolated thunderstorm activity with possible gusty winds today into Saturday over T&T.
Reports are that Disaster Management Coordinators at the 14 Municipal Corporations replenished relief items on Wednesday, following news of the weather disturbance and have already coordinated sandbag distributions, chainsaws and other tools to aid in hazard mitigation.
According to the Ministry of Local Government, the Municipal Emergency Operations Centre will remain on stand-by to be activated, in the event of severe weather.
The Ministry advises that its Disaster Management personnel are ready and equipped to mobilize and coordinate first responders, manage community shelters, coordinate relief activities in the event of flooding and other natural disasters, assist in assessment exercises to facilitate grant applications offered by other government agencies and most importantly, to assist affected residents so they are not cut off from other areas.
Citizens are reminded to be prepared, stay updated and to contact their respective Disaster Management Unit for sandbags prior to the adverse weather system.
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